Finding Aid for the Samuel H. Chaney Civil War correspondence 2016.139.w.r
Wendy Gonaver
Center for American War Letters Archives
11/06/19
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Samuel H. Chaney Civil War correspondence
Creator:
Chaney, Samuel H. , Private, 1840-1866
source:
Kuykendall, Ronald L.
Identifier/Call Number: 2016.139.w.r
Physical Description:
.2 Linear feet
(2 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1863-1864
Abstract: This collection contains three letters written during the Civil War by Private Samuel H. Chaney, who served in Company F of
the 43rd Indiana Infantry Regiment, Union Army. Chaney wrote to his wife, Rose Ann [Henderson] Chaney, and to their infant
daughter, Alice Clementine Chaney.
Also included in the collection are typed transcriptions of the letters, a brief biography of Samuel H. Chaney, and a photocopy
from a notebook that belonged to Rose Ann Chaney.
Physical Description: The undated letter has torn corner and has been placed in a protective sleeve.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: Civil War 2
Container: 14-15
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Ronald L. Kuykendall
This collection is arranged chronologically by material type.
Private Samuel H. Chaney (c. 1840-1866) was born in Coshocton County, Ohio. He married Rose Ann Henderson (1843-1889) in 1862.
Their daughter Alice Clementine Chaney ((1863-1934) was born in April 1863. Chaney enlisted in Company F of the 43rd Indiana
Infantry in December of 1863. His Regiment fought mainly in Arkansas. Company F under Captain James B. Dyer was stationed
at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, whence Chaney sent his letters. He mustered out in June of 1865 in Indianapolis, Indiana. A photocopy
of a page in his wife's notebook indicates that Samuel Chaney died on November 28, 1866. No cause of death was given.
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Samuel H. Chaney Civil War correspondence (2016.139.w.r), Center for American
War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection contains three letters from Pvt. Samuel H. Chaney to his wife, Rosey Ann. In a letter dated "February," Chaney
writes that "there Was only 17 men that got any money And onley got two monthes wages at That" [sic]. He encourages Rosey
to ask her father for support during the War. A second letter, dated November 23, 1864, urges her to apply for store credit
on the promise that Chaney will be paid wages in two weeks. He also states: "they Say that old Breckenridge are Coming here
to atact us at this Place But I dont think that thare Is nothing of it" [sic]. In a third, undated letter, Chaney expresses
love in verse for Rosey and their "Sweet little child That is So dear to me." He also asserts that he would like to drive
"the Abolishners from the land they know Ocapy fore they are nither loyel Nore good Sitzens of the united States Nore they
are not hardley white Nore fit to live amongest white folks but they have got the honest class of people in to it And they
will stay back and ag It on just as fast as they can" [sic]. Lastly, the collection contains typed transcriptions of the correspondence;
a brief biography of Samuel H. Chaney, presumably written by the donor; and a photocopied page from a diary that belonged
to Rose Ann Chaney.
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence -- American Civil War
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Kuykendall, Ronald L.